Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: A Bite-Sized Delight of Carrot-Infused Bliss
Indulge in the familiar flavors of a classic carrot cake in a charming bite-sized form with our Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. These delightful cookies are a celebration of the beloved carrot cake, combining the comforting sweetness of carrots, warm spices, and the lusciousness of cream cheese frosting. Perfectly portable and irresistibly delicious, these cookies offer a taste of tradition in each mouthwatering morsel. Whether you’re seeking a delightful treat for tea time or a creative twist on a beloved dessert, these cookies promise to be a delightful journey into carrot-infused bliss.
Why Choose Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting capture the essence of a cherished dessert in a compact and convenient form. The cookies boast the same cozy flavors that make carrot cake so beloved, with the added bonus of being easily shareable and snackable. The combination of tender carrot bits, warm spices, and the tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. These cookies are not just a delightful treat; they’re a gateway to a world of comforting tastes and indulgence.
Ingredients (Makes about 24 cookies):
*For the Carrot Cake Cookies:*
– 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1 1/2 cups (150g) finely grated carrots
– 1 cup (120g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
– 1 cup (150g) raisins or dried currants (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup (1/2 stick or 56g) unsalted butter, softened
– 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
*Step 1: Prepare the Carrot Cake Cookie Dough*
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the pure vanilla extract.
*Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients*
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
*Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients*
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the finely grated carrots, chopped walnuts or pecans (if using), and raisins or dried currants (if using).
*Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough*
Scoop spoonfuls of the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and chill the dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
*Step 5: Preheat the Oven*
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the cookie dough chills.
*Step 6: Bake the Cookies*
Bake the chilled cookie dough in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. The centers should still be slightly soft.
*Step 7: Cool the Cookies*
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
*Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting*
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue to beat until well combined. Stir in the pure vanilla extract.
*Step 9: Frost the Cookies*
Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a dollop of cream cheese frosting onto the top of each cookie. You can use a butter knife or a piping bag for a decorative touch.
*Step 10: Enjoy!*
Arrange the frosted Carrot Cake Cookies on a platter and prepare to enjoy the irresistible combination of carrot cake flavors and the creamy goodness of cream cheese frosting.
Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting offer the best of both worlds – the comfort of carrot cake and the delightful ease of cookies. With their tender crumb, warm spices, and luscious cream cheese frosting, these cookies are a treat that celebrates the essence of a beloved dessert. Whether you’re savoring them with a cup of tea or sharing them with friends and family, these cookies are a testament to the joy of creative baking and the pleasure of sharing homemade delights. Embrace the magic of Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting and let them bring a smile to your palate and your heart.
